Game counter



GAME COUNTER Filed Maron 5. 192s 52 A Efi Patented lll, 1924...

UNITED STATES FREDERICK HENSHAW, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,

GAME COUNTER,

" Application filed March 5, 1923.

" various plays of the game, and the ultimate winner at the completion of the game.

r)The present invention relates to a holder for game counting pieces such as apertured chips whereby the game counting pieces are adapted to be retained in segregated stacks, the apparatus containing means for determining according to color the numerical value of each game counting piece.

Among the objects of this invention, are the following To provide pivoted spindle for receiving the apertured game counting pieces, and which is capable of movement into a substantially horizontal or vertical position relativelyv to its base, and when in the former position precluding the removal of the counting' pieces therefrom; to provide an apparatus wherein a number of spindles are fulcrumed peripherally of one member of a base to lie radially of said base inember and for movement to extend substantially vertically from said base member to enable the game counting pieces to be positioned on and remo-ved from the spindles. A further object is to provide adjacent each spindle a numerical character denoting the value of each counting piece contained on the spindle or to be poistioned thereon, and in connection with the spindle to denote in a color the particular color of counting piece to be positioned on the particular spindle enabling the players to readily determine the value of the playing pieces according to their color, or the color of the playing pieces according to their value.

This invention is designed primarily for holding a type of counter or counting-piece to be used in the game of Mah jongg, facilitating the counting of the points scored in the game and enables various players to maintain their counting pieces in a con- Serial No. 622,828.

venient, easily accessible, orderly arrangenient.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consist-s in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

To more fully comprehend the invention, reference is directed to the accompanying` drawings, wherein Fig. l is a view in plan of the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrating the spindles disposed radially of one member of the base.

Fig. Q is a view in side elevation with one of the spindles in vertical position illustrating the apertured counting pieces positioned thereon.

liig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus illustratnig one of the spindles in its horizontal position mounting the counting pieces which are precluded from being removed therefrom during such position of the spindle.

Referring more particularly to the several views of the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate correspending parts` l indicates a base consisting of a circular pedestal 2. the interior of which is weighted b v the plate 3 held therein by the overturned bottom flange lof the pedestal. The pedestal in its center is formed with an aperture 5 inwardly through which extends a boss 6 having a Hanged head 7. Vithin the boss 6 is cast a bolt 8, the end of which extends through an opening in the plate 8, and a nut 9 retains the boss in position through the opening 5 and held to the inner surface of the plate 3. In addition to the pedestal 2, the boss comprises a rotatably mounted plate l0 preferably star shaped in plan and formed with a central aperture ll which is reinforced by a reinforcing plate or grommet 12 affording a relatively broad bearing surface 13 for contacting with the wall of the boss 6 above the opening 5, and with its upper flange to lie beneath the under surface of the flanged head 7. The boss 6 aflords an about which the plate 10 ro tates and said plate on its upper surface beyond the periphery of the flange 7 is provided with numerica-l notations 14, one lying opposite each point of the stan as in Figr 1, Each point of the star outwardly from the numerical notations 14 is provided with an embossed portion 15, the upper sur face of each of which is painted or enamelled a color differing from another and denoting the color of the apertured chip to be received on the spindle located adjacent the embossed portion as heretofore described. y

Secured to each point ofthe plate 10 near its end is an upstanding hollow shell 167 the upper end of whichy is rounded as at 17 and slotted as at 18 from a point at its upper end inwardly toward the axis of rotation of the plate 10. l'llithin each of the shells 16 is received the ball end 19 of a spindle 20, the end 19 of the spindle conforming in contour to the inner surface of the upper end 17 of the shell. The base of the ball end is flattened as at 21, and with which flattened end coacts the plunger 22 operated by the spring 23 vconcealed within the lower end of the shell 16. The spindles are of a length to extend when in substantially horizontal position with their free end overlying the aXis of rotation of the plate, as in the drawings. (ln these spindles are adapted to be positioned, as in Fig. 2, the apertured game pieces or chips Ql, preferably of a diameter to permit the inward pivotal movement of the spindle to a horizontal position parallel with the upper surface of the plate and radially thereof, as in Fig. 3. `When in this latter position, adjacent spindles inwardly folded preclude the removal of the chips from each other7 and when Abut one spindle is pointed inwardly, the edge of vthe rflange 7 precludes the removal of the chips therefrom.

As in dotted lines in Fig. 1lq it will be observed that the spindles may be swung circumferentially of the plate and accomplish the same result attained by their folding radially. j

It will be observed that the rotation of the plate on the pedestal enables the player to readily rotate the plate to conveniently position the spindle containing the desired 'color Value of lchip to be positioned on the spindle or removed therefrom.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A holder for apertured game chips including a base, a hollow shell carried thereby and slotted at its upper end, a spindle over which the game pieces are positioned and projecting from the shell and formed with a semispherical end fulcruming within the shell, said spindle adapted for swinging movement from a substantiallyv vertical position to a position substantially parallel with `the base, and spring held means within the shell adapted to retain the spindle in either of said two positions.

2. .A holder for apertured game chips including a base, a hollow shell carried thereby and slotted at it upper end, a spindlefover which the game pieces are positioned and projecting from the shell and formed with a semispherical end fulcruming within the shell, said spindle adapted for swinging movement from a'substantially vertical position to a position substantially parallel with the base, and means frictionally engaging the fulcrumed end of the spindle for retaining the same in either of saidy two positions.

8. A holder lfor apertured game counting chips including a base, a series of spindles disposed with their bases peripherally of the base, a pivotal connection between the lower end of each spindle and ythe base, said spindles normally extending vertically from the base and capable of swinging movement into a substantially horizontal position overlying the base, said spindles when in their latter position precluding the withdrawal of chips from each other.

4L. A holder for apertured game counting chips including a base consisting of a pedestal and a plate rotatably mounted thereon, and a plurality of spindles disposed in par-k allel upstanding relation peripherally of the plate, a fulcrum connection between each spindle and the base adapting said spindles for folding downwardly in substantially horizontal position with their free' ends overlying the aXis of rotation of the plate adjacent spindles when in folded position precluding the removal of chips from each other. y

ln testimony' whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FREDERICK 7. HENSHAW. 

